Unfinished and Pre-finished Hardwood Floors: Two Choices in Solid Hardwood
What you will learn: advantages of pre-finished hardwood floors;
advantages of unfinished hardwood floors; limitations of both unfinished and
pre-finished hardwood floors.
Solid Hardwood Floors allow for a lot of variation in terms of what you can get
as a solution for your space on the basis of finish alone. But is one more
suitable than another?
For minimum fuss and easy installation, pre-finished hardwood is a good choice
for those who wish to install their hardwood floor without having to do any
sanding or finishing. Pre-finished hardwood floors are therefore ideal for the
do-it-yourselfer who wishes to save time and bother, and who wishes to enjoy
the benefits of a new hardwood floor immediately after it’s installed.
A valued characteristic of unfinished hardwood floors, however, lies in the
uniformity of the finish. Pre-finished floors are by definition on a board by
board basis, and the finish which seals the board does not seal the minute
spaces between individual hardwood planks in the same way. With an unfinished
floor, the finish is added over the surface of a hardwood floor as a whole
after the boards have been installed. This offers a generally more uniform
finish and a somewhat greater moisture-proof seal. Many subcontractors choose
to install unfinished hardwood floors for these reasons.
So let’s weigh the options. If you are a homeowner who does not want to vacate
your house and would like to do an installation quickly, a pre-finished
hardwood floor is an excellent choice. You will not have to deal with the fumes
of the finish, or the mess left after the sanding process. If you are a
subcontractor, an unfinished floor may allow you to deliver a more uniform
finish on the whole floor, along with the added moisture protection the overall
sealing process provides. In either case, the beautiful look and feel of the
hardwood floor, along with the added structural benefits to your house or
office building are certainly benefits you can enjoy for a very long time.
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